Going to Sri Lanka for leisure or visiting family or frineds and need to know the latest Sri Lankan tourist visa requirements, Sri Lankan tourist visa processing time or need to make a Sri Lanka visa appointment? Browse this Sri Lanka visa website to learn more.
Sri Lanka Visa Types
There are several types of Sri Lankan visas available and the visa type for Sri Lanka you need to apply depends on the purpose of your trip to Sri Lanka.
Finding out what type of Sri Lanka visa you need to apply for is actually a pretty easy process. You can apply for Sri Lankan visa if you are traveling for one of the following purposes:
- Sri Lankan Tourist Visa - Sri Lanka visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit Sri Lanka, for a shorter period like 30 days within a 3-month period
- Sri Lankan Visitor Visa - Make it possible for non-Sri Lankan family members and friends that live outside of Sri Lanka to come to Sri Lanka and meet their parents, children, spouse or friends.
- Sri Lankan Business Visa - To participate in business related activities including attending or conducting meetings or conferences or training, installing equipment or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate or branch office in Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lankan Transit Visa - To transit through the airport or port in Sri Lanka
Other Sri Lankan Visa Types
There are other types of Sri Lankan visas available for non-Sri Lankan citizens to apply:
- Student Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Permantent Resident Visa
- Work Visa
- Official Visit Visa
- Cultural, Film Crew & Sports Visa
- Merchant Seaman Visa
Sri Lankan Entry Visa Types
Single Entry visa for Sri Lanka: A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter Sri Lanka only once, within the given period of time, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits the territory of Sri Lanka or visa region associated with Sri Lanka, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spend in Sri Lanka the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa.
Double Entry visa for Sri Lanka: In general, a double-entry visa applies the same way as the single-entry visa explained above. The sole difference between a single-entry and a double-entry visa is that the second gives you the chance to go once more back to Sri Lanka
Multiple Entry visa for Sri Lanka: This type of visa allows the holder of the visa to enter Sri Lanka mutiple times with visa validity period.
Steps to Applying for Sri Lankan visa To apply for a Sri Lankan visa follow the steps given below:
- Check if you need to apply for a Sri Lankan Visa.
- Know when is the right time to apply!
- Figure out what type of Sri Lankan visa you need.
- Find out where you should lodge your application.
- Fill in the right Sri Lankan visa form.
- Collect the documents required for Sri Lankan visa.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your biometrics.
- Pay the visa fee.
Please Note: Please consult Sri Lankan embassy in your country as visa regulations for Sri Lanka can and often change overnight. In individual cases, additional documents required for Sri Lankan visa. We accept no responsibility as we have no affiliation with the embassy of Sri Lanka or their visa section.
Going for a visa interview at the embassy? The visa officer at the Sri Lankan consulate will look over your application and ask you questions if they wish to clarify anything. It is best to answer these questions honestly.
Typical questions asked at the Sri Lanka visa interview include:
- What is your purpose of your trip to Sri Lanka?
- Do you know anyone living in Sri Lanka?
- What is your current occupation?
- How long have you been in your current occupation?
- If you are a student, when will the studies finsh?
- How will you suuport yourself whilst in Sri Lanka?
- Have you ever travelled to other countries?
- Who will pay for your trip to Sri Lanka?
- What are your plans when you return from your trip?
- What will you do if your visa application is rejected?
- What is your marital status?
- Will you be involved in business in Sri Lanka?
Common reasons why your Sri Lankan visa application got rejected include:
- Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip Sri Lanka and you must provide documents to show that you can.
- Proof of accommodation not provided – you must be able to show where you will be staying in Sri Lanka and you can easily do this by providing a hotel reservation in Sri Lanka.
- The visa officer thinks you will not return to your home country – you must make it clear that you intend to leave Sri Lanka and return to your home country before the expiry of your visa. You can do this by providing documents that show you have ties where you live, such as an employment letter or proof that you own your home etc.
- No proof of residence – you must be able to prove that you can live in the country of your residence legally, so you must provide proof of residence.